Last Thursday, January 12th, 2017 at 8PM PST, Nintendo went live from Tokyo, Japan to officially announce the features and games for the Nintendo Switch.

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Last Friday, January 13th, Nintendo had a “Treehouse Live” segment called; “Nintendo Treehouse Live With Nintendo Switch”. During the live event, the members of the Treehouse gave an in depth look at the console itself, as well as some of the games that were announced and/or shown off the previous night.

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Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, Nintendo went live with a “Fire Emblem Nintendo Direct”. An event exclusively talking about the upcoming titles in the “Fire Emblem” franchise, using the “Nintendo Direct” style format that Nintendo has been using since 2011.

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It has been a great week for Nintendo fanatics and gamers alike. If you happened to miss out on any these events, here is a recap of what was announced:

The very first thing that was announced at the presentation was the price and release date for the Nintendo Switch.

It will be priced at $299 in the US, and ¥29,980 in Japan.

The Nintendo Switch will be releasing worldwide on March 3rd, 2017.

——————————————Online Service——————————————

We then were given some information on the “Online Services” for Nintendo Switch.

Most of the online services will be accessed through a downloadable app for your smartphone. On it, you will be able to; “invite friends to play online, set play appointments, and chat with friends during online matches in compatible games”.

Nintendo has followed the path of Sony and Microsoft, and will now be charging a monthly fee to play online. A price has yet to be announced, but we were told some of the exclusive features you will receive for being a member.

You will receive an NES/SNES game every month for free (each month the game is replaced. You do not get to keep the game forever), access to the Nintendo Switch app, special sales, and of course, the ability to play games online. *

If you decide to not pay for Nintendo’s online services, you will be limited to your online accessibility – You can add friends, take and share screenshots of your game, and purchase games/applications from the Nintendo marketplace (eShop). (These features are also included if you are a member). *

After the presentation, Nintendo announced a new parental controls system that can be accessed using your smartphone! Watch the video below for more details.

——————————————Region Locking——————————————

After details for the Online Services were given, Nintendo announced that the Nintendo Switch will not be “Region locked”. This means that you can buy a game from anywhere in the world, and you can still play it on your Switch, regardless of where you purchased it.

This is a big deal! If a game is released exclusively in Japan, someone in America could order it online and still be able to play it on their Switch.

Nintendo has not done this in a very long time. Before, games that were bought from other countries then yours, would not work at all on your console.

——————————————Features & Specs——————————————

Two short videos were then shown, which provided some more information on the Switch.

The first video gave us a close up look at the Console, Dock, Joy-Cons, and Joy-Con Grip accessory. No new information was provided here, but we did get to see a high-quality view of the console and controllers at different angles. It showed a demonstration of the Switch being removed from the dock to play on the go, or but back in the dock to play on the big screen. The Joy-Cons ability to be removed from the Grip accessory and then put on to the console was also shown, and vice versa.

You could clearly see the separate plus and minus volume buttons on the top of the console. This is different from the volume slider that was on the Wii U Gamepad and 3DS.

The second video showed some of the specs of the Switch, as well as the different play modes that the Nintendo Switch provides:

TV Mode – Where the system is in the dock, connected to the TV, and Joy-Cons L & R are placed into the Joy-Con Grip Accessory.

Tabletop Mode – Where the system is removed from the dock and placed anywhere using its built-in kickstand. One Joy-Con can be used in each hand, or you can give one to a friend for local multiplayer in select games. (Although not shown in the video, the Joy-Con Grip accessory can also be used in this mode).

Handheld Mode – Where the system is removed from the dock, and the Joy-Cons are attached to the sides of the console. Take it anywhere!

The video revealed that the battery life for the Nintendo Switch will be anywhere between 2 1/2 hours and 6 1/2 hours, depending on the game you are playing. Nintendo confirmed that while playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild with the switch undocked, the battery will last for about 3 hours. *(2) The system can be charged using a USB Type-C charger. This type of charger is industry standard, so you are likely to already own one. You are able to play games on the Switch while the system is charging, so you don’t have to worry about it running out of juice if you have a charger with you. The Switch can be fully charged in just 3 hours.*(3)

The Nintendo Switch will have a multi-touch “Capacitive touchscreen”. The same touchscreen technology used on all modern-day smartphones and tablets on the market. The Nintendo Wii U and 3DS both use a “Resistive touchscreen”, which needed a stylus to be used at its full potential.

8 Nintendo Switches can be connected for local multiplayer between friends. This could potentially mean 16 player local multiplayer, as each Switch can play games split-screen.

Nintendo Switch will be a cartridge based system. No disc drive is present. *(4)

——————————————Joy-Cons——————————————

Once the video ended, there was a stage segment dedicated to showing what the Joy-Con controllers a capable of.

“Joy-Con L” and “Joy-Con R” both have different buttons and features from one another.

“Joy-Con L” has; 1 Analog stick, 4 individual directional buttons, (similar to the D-pad, but the buttons are now separate), L & ZL triggers, an SL & an SR button (Located on the top of the controller, so when you are holding the controller sideways, you still have easily accessible triggers.), a minus button, and a capture button.

The capture button allows users to take screenshots of their game, and will even permit recording video at some point in the future.

Another feature that is exclusively on the right Joy-Con is a Motion IR Camera. This is able to read different hand gestures, as well as tell the distance of objects.

“Joy-Con L & R” both contain Accelerometer and Gyro sensors. This allows for motion controls in each hand. Similar to the original Wii remote, yet much more advanced.

Both Joy-Cons are also embedded with a new feature called “HD Rumble”. This is an advanced rumble, that will allow you to feel different movements. Such as; a marble rolling around inside of the controller, or water being poured inside of it.

Each Joy-Con can be charged fully in 3 1/2 hours, and will give 20 hours of use.*(5)

Nintendo announced two new colors for the Joy-Cons. Neon Blue and Neon Red.

Wrist straps were also revealed. You simply slide it onto the controller while playing games that require motion controls. This will prevent you from throwing the controller. The Switch will have two gray ones packed in, or you can buy the Neon colored wrist straps separately.

——————————————1, 2, Switch——————————————

We then got a look at two new games coming to the Switch, both which take use of the new motion controls and/or HD Rumble.

The first game that was shown off was “1, 2, Switch”. A party game that utilizes the HD Rumble in such a way, that the mini-games you play don’t require you to look at any sort of screen. Instead, you play the games by looking directly at the other player.

You can feel the different games you are playing in your controller, so you don’t need to look at the TV. This is a very unique concept, that seems like you really need to try it for yourself to fully understand.

1,2, Switch will be releasing on March 3rd, 2017 for $49.99. *(6)

——————————————Arms——————————————

The second game shown was a brand-new Nintendo IP (Intellectual Property) titled “Arms”. It’s a not so traditional fighting game, that uses motion controls to give it a unique twist from games such as “Mortal Kombat” or “Super Smash Bros”.

Each character has “arms” that spring forward when you punch. By playing the game with 1 Joy-con in each hand, it can track your arm movements.

Punching with the left controller will make the in-game character punch with his or her left arm. Same goes for right.

Turning the controller while you punch allows for you to curve your arm as it extends.

Punching with both arms will grab your opponent, and pull them towards you.

You can tilt the Joy-Cons left and right to move and dodge.

The analog triggers on the top of the controller are what you use to jump or dash.

“Arms” can be played single player, local 2 player multiplayer, (additional Joy-Cons sold separately), or online.

This game does not require motion controls, and can be played using a traditional controller configuration. *(7)

Arms will be releasing in Spring 2017 for $59.99. *(8)

——————————————Splatoon 2——————————————

A sequel to one of Nintendo’s most recently successful new IPs was officially announced to be coming to the Switch!

There are many new elements in Splatoon 2, that were not in its predecessor; Splatoon. One of which, is a new weapon called the “Splat Dualies“.

The Splat Dualies equip your inkling with a gun in each hand, allowing for a unique play style. You are able to perform a “Dodge roll” while using this weapon, a new move that we have never seen before. There are also four new specials that you can unlock while this weapon is being used.

Your inklings will now have customizable hair and gloves, which the original Splatoon did not have.

Many new stages and weapons have been added to this sequel, most of which have yet to be revealed.

Splatoon 2 can be played using TV Mode, Tabletop Mode, and Handheld Mode. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller will also be compatible.

Gyro controls are back for the sequel! As with the original, you can aim your weapon by tilting the controller.

The original Splatoon required the Wii U Gamepad’s second screen to transport you to another player in the game, but because the Switch does not have duel screens, the way this is done is slightly different. When you open the menu, you will find that each of the players on your team are assigned to one of the buttons on your controller. You press the button for the person you want to transport to, and you will instantly arrive at their location.

Local and online multiplayer will be available, following the original.

After the game is released, there will be continued updates with new content.

Splatoon 2 will be releasing in Summer 2017 for $59.99. *(9)

—————————————Super Mario Odyssey—————————————

It has been since 2002, with the release of Super Mario Sunshine for the Nintendo GameCube, that we have received a full, open world, Mario adventure/sandbox game!

Including 1996’s Super Mario 64, Super Mario Odyssey will be the 3rd entry in the Mario sandbox genre.

The trailer we were given shows off many different worlds you will be able to explore, as well as unique and familiar gameplay features.

Mario will not be in the Mushroom Kingdom this time around, but instead, be exploring new locations such as; “New Donk City”, a colorful Mexican style town, a large forest, an abstract food themed world, and an Egyptian desert.

The most common theme in the trailer is…. hats! Multiple times, we could clearly see a store called; “Crazy Cap”. Nothing has been officially revealed about this in-game shop, but one could guess that it’s a place that you could buy hats equipped with different abilities, using the purple triangle currency Mario collects during the trailer.

Mario’s hat seems to play a large part in this new game. You can throw your hat to defeat enemies, or you can jump off of it after throwing it, to essentially double jump.

The end of the trailer reveals that Mario’s hat is actually alive! Two eyes can be seen atop of it. It will help you out on your adventure, but details have yet to be revealed about exactly what it will do.

Another hat related element of this game, is that you seem to travel from world to world using a flying ship that is shaped like a hat. We don’t know very much about this yet, but I’m sure it will be an important piece of the game.

Familiar enemies such as the Koopa Troopa, Spiny, and Piranha Plant will still be infesting the different worlds, however, there also appears to be unique enemies and bosses, that have not been in any past Mario games.

Many new NPCs (non-player characters) can also be seen around each world. The strangest of the bunch, is that there are actual human characters walking about “New Donk City”.

The main story seems to be about you trying to rescue Princess Peach from King Bowser, as he is now trying to force her into marriage. It seems to go beyond this however, as some strange evil looking rabbits also appear in the trailer.

Super Mario Odyssey will be releasing Holiday 2017 for $59.99. *(10)

————————————Xenoblade Chronicles 2————————————

Very little information was provided about this game other than the fact that it will be releasing in 2017. If you would like to know more about Xenoblade Chronicles 2, please watch the official trailer below, as it would be the easiest way for you to learn all the information there is to know about Monolith Soft’s next title.

————————————Fire Emblem Warriors————————————

Besides giving a very short teaser trailer, no details were given on this game at the Nintendo Switch event. Please see the “Fire Emblem Nintendo Direct” portion of this article for more information.

————————————3rd Party Support————————————

Many 3rd party developers announced their support for the Nintendo Switch at the presentation. Here is a quick overview of the games that announced.

Square Enix will be releasing “Dragon Quest X”, “Dragon Quest XI”, and “Dragon Quest Heroes I & II” for Nintendo Switch, as well as a brand-new RPG with the title “Project Octopath Traveler”.

Atlus will be releasing a brand new “Shin Megami Tensei” game for Nintendo Switch.

Bethesda Game Studios will be porting over “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” to the Nintendo Switch.

Grasshopper Manufacturer Inc. announced that a new game is in development for the Nintendo Switch using the character “Travis Touchdown” from the franchise No More Heros.

EA Sports will be releasing FIFA for Nintendo Switch.

A Nintendo produced video showing the Nintendo Switch’s software line-up, revealed a few more 3rd party games that will be coming to the Switch.

Many 3rd party accessories are also available for the Nintendo Switch including; cases, skins, controller grips, and cartridge holders.

———————The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild———————

The final game shown off at the Nintendo Switch Presentation was “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild”.

Originally announced at E3 2012 for the Wii U, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” could very well be Nintendo’s largest video game that they have ever created!

Words cannot describe this games beauty, and watching the newest trailer is the only way you can see the next generation Zelda game in all its glory!

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” will be releasing on Nintendo Switch and Wii U simultaneously, on March 3rd, 2017 for $59.99. *(15)

———————Mario Kart 8 Deluxe———————

Shortly after the presentation ended, a trailer for “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” was posted on Nintendo’s YouTube channel. No one knows why it wasn’t in the presentation, but it was a nice surprise afterwards.

“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is “Mario Kart 8” for Wii U in all its glory, but with a ton of new content!

All the DLC in the original Mario Kart 8 that you had to pay for, is now packed in for free with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Link, Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Villager (Boy or Girl), Isabelle, and Dry Bowser are now playable characters right out of the gate, along with 4 cups, making 16 new tracks! 8 new vehicles will also be available.

I haven’t even mentioned any of the “new” content yet that was not available for the Wii U version!

A brand-new character, never before seen in any of the Mario Kart games, will be joining the roster. Inkling Boy & Inkling Girl from Splatoon!

3 new vehicles have also been added to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, as well as a least 2 new and returning items. This includes the Boo, that was in every Mario Kart game other than Wii and Wii U, as well as the feather, which has not been in any other Mario Kart game besides “Super Mario Kart” from 1992.

You can now hold two items on you at the same time, similar to Mario Kart: Double Dash.

Mario Kart 8 for Wii U’s biggest complaint, was that it didn’t have a proper battle mode. All that has changed in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe! Although Mario Kart 8 did have” Balloon Battle”, a lot of the mechanics were changed, and there weren’t even any real battle maps available. With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, we now have a Balloon Battle mode similar to the older Mario Kart games, and at least 4 new battle maps will be included! “Bomb-omb Blast” from Mario Kart: Double Dash on the GameCube will also be making a comeback!

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will be releasing on April 28th, 2017 for $59.99. *(16)

————————Snipperclips————————

The final game that was revealed shortly after the presentation, is a new puzzle game being developed by Nintendo along side SFB games.

“Snipperclips – Cut it out, Together!” is a local 2-4 player puzzle game that has you playing as paper characters, “Snipping” each-other, rotating yourself, crouching, and hopping around, in order to complete the task that’s provided.

Communication is key while playing this game. Both players need to work together in order to solve each level’s unique puzzle.

The characters are able to “snip” one another by overlapping, and then pressing the dedicated cutting button. Some levels have you try to fit into a designated shape, and others have you do things such as create a scoop out of your head in order to carry a basketball to the hoop. Each level gets increasingly difficult.

A 1-2 player campaign mode, as well as a versus mode will also be available. Details have yet to be revealed.

“Snpperclips – Cut it out, Together!” will be releasing March 2017 for $19.99. *(17)

Nintendo Treehouse Live With Nintendo Switch:

On January 13th, the day after the presentation, Nintendo had a 6 hour live stream giving an in depth look at the Switch’s games, and also giving a few announcements. Here is all of the new information that we were given.

———————The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild———————

————The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Collector’s Sets————

Three versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will be available on March 3rd.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Standard Edition (includes game only) – $59.99

Two new “Breath of the Wild” Amiibos were revealed during the Treehouse Live event. Zelda and Bokoblin.

These newly revealed Amiibo will be launching along side; Link (Archer), Link (Rider) and the Guardian.

All five Amiibo will be releasing on March 3rd, 2017 for $15.99. *(18)

———————Super Mario Odyssey – Details———————

Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto joined the Treehouse to give a few details on the upcoming 3D Mario sandbox game.

Like Super Mario 64, Super Mario Odyssey is being developed more towards the hardcore gamers, rather then the casual, that Nintendo has more recently been targeting.

The camera control for Super Mario Odyssey will be much easier to navigate then previous Mario sandbox titles.

A lot of this new Mario games inspiration is coming from “Super Mario Sunshine” for the GameCube. The same developers that worked on past 3D Mario games, are also working on this one.

Miyamoto shared a story of what inspired him in the Super Mario 64 days to create an open world Mario adventure game. At the time, he let his pet hamster free, and it started to wonder around aimlessly in his room. You play these Mario games in the same style. “As if a hamster was running loose in my house.” he said.

———————Switch Pro Controller———————

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller will have a built in NFC reader, allowing you to scan Amiibo.

Those were the biggest announcements that were made at the Treehouse Live event. While many more small details about other games were announced, this was the most important information we were given.

You can watch the full “Nintendo Treehouse: Live with Nintendo Switch” here:

Or you can watch the individual segments in a playlist here:

Fire Emblem Nintendo Direct:

Two Nintendo Switch related announcements were made during the Fire Emblem Direct on January 18th.

———————Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch———————

A mainline Fire Emblem game is coming to the Nintendo Switch! No details were given, other then that it’s planned for a 2018 release.

———————Fire Emblem Warriors———————

Although it was given a reveal during the Nintendo Switch Presentation, it was not until now that we were given actual information.

Being developed coincide with Koei Tecmo, Fire Emblem Warriors will be a game in a similar vain as “Hyrule Warriors” which was released for Wii U & 3DS.

An extended trailer was given, showing off a small amount of gameplay.

Fire Emblem Warriors will be released Fall 2017 for Nintendo Switch, as well as “New” Nintendo 3DS Systems.

More announcements were made at the event, however they were not Nintendo Switch related, so I will not be covering them here.

Other Announcements:

Over the past week, Nintendo has been trickling out more information on the Nintendo Switch. Here is what we have found out.

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” will run at 900p 30FPS while docked, and 720p 30FPS while undocked. *(19)

Miis will be making a return on the Nintendo Switch. *(20)

Streaming services such as Netflix will NOT be available at launch. *(20)

5 different battle modes will be included in Mario Kart 8. *(21)

8 accounts can be attached to one Nintendo Switch console. *(20)

Miiverse and Streetpass will NOT be returning for Nintendo Switch. *(22)

Unreal Engine 4 will be supported for Nintendo Switch. *(23)

Unity will be supported for Nintendo Switch. *(24)

Select NES & SNES games will have newly added online multiplayer.*

The following games have been confirmed to be released on Nintendo Switch (Alphabetical):